NEWS

Crime boss Vlastos gives lengthy testimony in extortion racket case

Convicted crime boss Panayiotis Vlastos faced an investigative magistrate in Athens on Tuesday over charges of allegedly running a large-scale huge extortion racket from maximum security Korydallos Prison. Vlastos is accused of managing the ring along with fellow inmates Yiannis Skaftouros and Vassilis Stefanakos.

According to sources, in his length testimony Vlastos admitted his involvement in an arson attack against Trikala prosecutor Sophia Petraki who headed an investigation into an attempted escape by Vlastos at Trikala Prison in 2013. Vlastos reportedly referred to the attack as an act of “intimidation.” He reportedly refused, however, any involvement in a bomb attack outside the residence of judge Paraskevi Kalaitzi, who presided over the case of the kidnapping of shipping magnate Pericles Panagopoulos in 2009.

Vlastos also allegedly challenged the testimony of a cousin of his who is also facing charges in the same case, referring to it as “fabricated.”

The woman in question was originally was placed in a police witness protection program but was subsequently arrested.

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